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| Nigerian House of Representatives Chamber |
An anti-bribery bill has been introduced before Nigeria’s House of Representatives. It targets anyone who gives or takes bribes at workplaces. The bill proposes a seven-year jail term or a N5 million fine on conviction. Lawmakers say the measure will curb corruption in offices and boost trust in public and private sectors. Early debate on the bill took place at a plenary session on May 28, 2025. Sources have not confirmed the sponsor’s name at press time.
Bribery in Nigeria remains a major concern. A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Nigerians paid about N721 billion in cash bribes to public officials in 2023. That is roughly 0.35 per cent of the country’s GDP. The survey finds that 27 per cent of citizens who interact with a public official paid a bribe in 2023. This is a slight fall from 29 per cent in 2019. Including cases where bribes were requested but refused, over one-third of such interactions involved bribery.
The Workplace Bribery Bill seeks to fill a gap in existing laws. The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000 covers many forms of corruption. But it does not focus on gifts or payments made in a work setting. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) often probe office graft. Still, stakeholders say new penalties are needed to deter lower-level bribery. Sponsors of the new bill say a dedicated law will aid enforcement.
Bill Details and Provisions
The main aim of the bill is simple. It makes offering or accepting a bribe at any workplace a criminal offence. The punishment is a jail term of not less than seven years. Convicted persons may also face a fine of N5 million. Courts may impose both punishment and fine together. The bill covers both public and private workplaces. It targets all ranks, from entry-level staff to top executives. It applies when money, gifts, or favours are given or taken to influence decisions. This includes hiring, procurement, promotions, and contract awards.
The bill also seeks to protect whistleblowers. It sets up a safe channel for reporting bribery at work. Whistleblowers who report in good faith will be immune from prosecution. Their identity must remain confidential. The law plans to provide rewards or recognition for whistleblowers. This aligns with the existing Whistleblowing Bill passed early in 2025. That bill imposes penalties for disclosing whistleblower information. () The new workplace bill builds on that framework.
EFCC and ICPC Roles
Lawmakers intend for the EFCC and ICPC to play major roles in enforcement. Both agencies may investigate suspected cases under the new law. They will work with law enforcement to monitor office dealings. The bill allows them to freeze assets of accused persons. It also grants search and seizure powers in suspected cases. These powers mirror those in the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. That act provides for jail terms up to seven years and fines up to N50 million for money launderers. () By linking to existing acts, the bill aims for fast and efficient action.
Why the New Law?
Corruption costs Nigeria billions yearly. It erodes trust in institutions and deters investors. A 2024 United Nations and NBS report shows bribery is still widely practiced. Many Nigerians say they refuse to pay bribes more often than before. But the fight is far from over. By criminalizing workplace bribery, lawmakers hope to cut petty graft. They also aim to strengthen public confidence in business dealings.Economists warn that corruption slows growth. When businesses must bribe to win contracts, costs rise. Public services suffer when funds are diverted. Citizens feel the burden when officials take extra fees. A 2023 World Bank report ranked Nigeria 131st out of 190 for ease of doing business. Bureaucratic corruption was a major barrier. The new bill hopes to improve Nigeria’s standing. If passed, it could signal a stronger stance against graft.
Not everyone supports the bill. Some lawmakers worry the penalties are too harsh. They argue that small bribes may stem from low wages. Punishing mild cases with seven-year sentences may seem extreme. Others question if prisons can handle extra inmates. Members of the judiciary also ask for clear guidelines. They say judges need room for discretion. They fear the law may force jail terms where a fine would suffice.
Lawmakers, however, say strong penalties are vital. They point to cases where a small bribe led to huge losses. For example, a minor payment to a customs officer may let millions of naira worth of contraband enter. Or a small kickback in procurement could cost the public tens of millions. By making even small bribes costly, the law aims to deter all levels of graft.
Experts on anti-corruption stress the need for balanced measures. They note that prisons without rehabilitation can worsen crime. Some call for parallel measures. These include training, public education, and better pay for workers. Programs to build integrity at work can complement the law. Without these, experts fear workers will find new ways to skirt the law.
Public Reaction
Civil society groups have given mixed feedback. Transparency International’s Nigeria chapter welcomes the bill. They say it sends a clear message: bribery will not be tolerated. But they caution that enforcement must be fair. They call for anonymous hotlines and strong witness protections.
Labour unions warn against ignoring root causes. They say low wages and lousy conditions drive petty bribery. “Some workers earn less than N50,000 monthly,” one union leader said. “When they must feed families, they may take small payments to make ends meet.” The union suggests that pay reforms could reduce bribery. They urge lawmakers to link anti-bribery drive with wage policy.
Business groups also weigh in. Some firms say the bill will level the playing field. They complain that rivals who bribe get unfair advantages. They hope the new law will let fair players compete. Others fear a rush of cases may clog courts. They ask for clear procedures and timely trials.
Legal experts note that the bill must pass both chambers. Then it goes to the president for assent. They expect possible amendments in the Senate. Senators may tweak penalties or expand definitions. They also look at similar bills. In 2023, a Finance Bill set three-year jail or N10 million fine for certain officers. () This new bill raises penalties. Lawmakers say bribery at the workplace often falls outside earlier laws.
Key Elements of Enforcement
The bill outlines a six-step enforcement process. First, an allegation may come via whistleblower, audit, or EFCC tip. Second, investigators gather evidence. This may include bank records, office logs, or emails. Third, a suspect is invited for questioning. They may face arrest if enough evidence exists. Fourth, the EFCC or ICPC seizes assets pending court ruling. Fifth, the suspect is tried in a Special Court for Corruption. This court handles related cases. Finally, if convicted, the person serves a seven-year term or pays N5 million. The bill also allows asset forfeiture if linked to graft.
The Special Court for Corruption has handled major cases. It convicted Farouk Lawan to five years in 2021 for taking a N500,000 bribe. That case took many years to reach trial. The new law aims for faster trials. It sets a 90-day limit from arrest to trial. Judges may extend only for valid reasons. Delays without cause lead to bail.
The bill also targets companies. If a firm offers a bribe, it may face a fine of N20 million. Company directors can go to jail. This deter private firms from using payoffs to get contracts. Experts say company fines must scale to revenue. A fixed N20 million may be small for big firms. Some suggest amending this to a higher multiple of the bribe value.
Comparisons with Other Laws
Several other acts cover corruption. The Corrupt Practices Act focuses on public officers. It sets jail terms up to seven years. This new bill extends coverage to private workplaces. The Money Laundering Act punishes moving funds from crime. It sets fines up to N50 million. The new bill links bribery to laundering if money flows through banks to hide graft.
The Public Procurement Act 2007 sets open bidding rules. It bars secret deals in contracts. Still, procurement officers sometimes take kickbacks. The bill can now punish such officers with jail or fine. It may boost the Procurement Act by making graft costlier.
The Finance Bill 2023 raised jail from three to seven years for some officers. But it covered only those signing contracts without approval. The new bill goes further. It covers any workplace bribery, even for promotions or minor favours.
Experts say the bill closes gaps. But they worry about overlap. They note that some cases may fit under multiple acts. They call for clear rules on which law takes priority. They also stress training for judges and prosecutors.
International Context
Globally, many countries have specific workplace bribery laws. In the UK, the Bribery Act 2010 covers commercial facilitation payments. It punishes companies that fail to prevent bribery. In the US, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act bans paying foreign officials. Nigeria’s new bill has similar aims. It seeks to align with global standards.
Transparency International ranks Nigeria 147th out of 180 on its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024. This is a slight improvement from past years. The government set a target to reach top 100 by 2027. Passing strong anti-bribery laws is part of the plan.
At a recent UN session, Nigerian delegates said they want to meet Sustainable Development Goal 16.5. This goal calls for reducing corruption in all its forms. The UN applauded Nigeria’s plan to boost whistleblower protections. It called for more transparency in public and private dealings.
Expert Opinions
Legal scholar Professor Ayo Omotayo says the bill is welcome. He notes that many low-level officers take bribes daily. “Small payments add up to big losses for the public purse,” he says. “Criminalizing such acts will send a clear signal.” He argues that trust in government may rise if the law is enforced fairly.
Human rights lawyer Mrs. Funke Adeoye agrees on the goal. But she warns about harsh punishments. “Seven years for a small bribe may be too much,” she says. “We need guidelines for judges. They should weigh motives, value of bribe, and harm done.” She suggests a sliding scale of punishment. Judges could give lighter sentences for minor cases.
Economist Mr. Chike Obi says bribery distorts markets. “When firms must bribe to win bids, they pay too much,” he says. “That cost goes to consumers or taxpayers.” He adds that foreign investors watch how a country treats corruption. He hopes the new law will boost investor trust. But he also stresses faster court processes. Lengthy trials can hurt both accused persons and victims.
Civil society activist Mrs. Maryam Yusuf welcomes the broad scope. “Private sector bribery must end,” she says. “Too many small businesses lose fair deals to larger firms that pay offs.” She wants hotlines and community monitoring. Local groups can report suspected cases. She will push for budgets for public education on corruption.
Implementation Challenges
Even with strong laws, enforcement can falter. Nigeria’s courts face backlogs. Judges, prosecutors, and security agents may lack funds or training. Some agencies may still take bribes to drop cases. To succeed, the new law needs resources and willpower.
Lawmakers propose a special fund for anti-corruption efforts. It will cover training, hotlines, and witness care. The bill suggests 1 per cent of the national budget go to this fund each year. That could be over N1 trillion in 2025. Critics say that is too high, as other needs also demand attention. Supporters say it is worth the cost to curb graft.
Local judicial systems also need upgrades. Some courts lack proper record keeping. Cases may be delayed for years. If trials drag, accused persons may pay bail and resume bribe-taking. This undermines the law. Lawmakers hope the 90-day trial rule can fix that. But judges say more judges and court staff are needed to hit targets.
Courtroom technology is another need. Electronic filing and tracking can speed cases. It can also reduce chances of evidence being tampered with. The bill mentions a pilot program in Abuja. It will test e-filings for corruption trials. If that works, it can expand to other states.
Police and EFCC offices need better equipment. Investigators must track digital money trails. They need software to analyze bank records. This requires funds and technical training. The bill allows the EFCC to seek international aid and partner with tech firms.
Regional Impact
If the bill passes, Nigeria may lead West Africa in anti-bribery laws. Neighbouring countries may follow suit. Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire watch Nigeria’s moves. Some scholars say a regional pact can enforce anti-bribery rules across borders. This matters because bribes often flow via offshore accounts. Money leaves Nigeria to banks in the UAE, UK, or US. Regional deals can block such flows and make recovery easier.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has a protocol on good governance. It asks member states to fight corruption. But enforcement is weak. Nigeria’s bill may give momentum to ECOWAS efforts. If Nigeria shows results, other states may step up.
Business and Civil Society Roles
Business leaders must also play a part. Major firms can set internal rules banning bribery. They can train staff on ethics. They can use audits to find suspicious payments. If a company is caught paying bribes, they face corporate fines. That can hurt their reputation and bottom line. Some multinationals already have zero-tolerance policies. They may save money by refusing to bribe. But they need local support too.
Civil society can monitor government and companies. They can run public campaigns. They can give awards to honest firms. Youth groups can use social media to share tips on reporting graft. Community leaders can spread awareness in rural areas.
International donors have offered help. The UNODC plans to fund training and hotlines. The UK’s Anti-Corruption Unit will send advisors. The US Department of Justice may share case studies. Such partnerships can help Nigeria build local capacity.
Potential Outcomes
If the bill is signed into law and enforced well, Nigeria may see fewer office bribes. Workers may be less likely to ask for “dash” in offices. Public trust may rise in agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service or Ministry of Works. Investors may be more willing to bid for government contracts. Civil servants may focus on fair service rather than seeking extra fees.
Yet outcomes depend on consistency. A few high-profile convictions can set an example. But if judges drop cases, or if the law is used to target political opponents, trust may fall. Observers will watch trial patterns. They will check if the law is used evenly across regions and ethnic groups.
In the long run, if bribery falls, Nigeria’s economy could grow faster. Public services may cost less. Schools, hospitals, and roads could see better funding and less waste. Citizens may feel more able to access services without paying under the table. Police and teachers may stop asking for small payments for routine tasks.
However, if the law is too harsh on low-level workers, some may leave civil service. This could cause staff shortages. That might slow public services. To avoid that, lawmakers must balance penalties with support. They can offer amnesty for those who report past bribery. They can train workers on ethics. They can raise pay for entry-level staff to reduce temptation.
Next Steps
The bill will go to the Senate for review. Senators may hold public hearings. They will invite stakeholders, such as labour unions, business groups, and anti-corruption agencies. They may amend sections on fines or definitions. After Senate approval, it returns to the House for final passage. Then it goes to the president for assent.
With the 2025 budget discussions looming, some lawmakers may delay action. They may argue that bill passage needs more study. But anti-corruption advocates say rapid action is vital. They point to NBS data showing high bribe rates. They say a strong new law can shift norms.
If the president signs the bill by July 2025, it can take effect in the new financial year. Implementation teams must meet to draft rules and guidelines. The EFCC, ICPC, police, and judiciary will need training on the new law. Hotlines and online portals must be set up. Public awareness campaigns should start before the law takes effect.